Managing pitchers is, more than perhaps anything, a search for consistency, and I tend to think that pitching staffs are actually constructed as a series of backups for when consistency proves elusive. This year, if I were to chose the Mormon pitcher who seems most consistent, I think I’d have to choose Matt Lindstrom. And this past week Lindstrom showed the quality of his relief, appearing 5 times for a total of 4 innings without giving up a single run and just 2 hits. While Lindstrom isn’t exactly lights out (WHIP is 1.38), his era is down to 2.87 for the season, the lowest among the Mormon pitchers in the majors.

Among position players, Jacoby Ellsbury continued his hot streak last week, hitting .381 with a home run, 3 rbis and 4 runs scored. Until July 11th he owned a 19-game hitting streak (despite missing two games last week with a sore left wrist). His season batting average is now up to .305. In addition to Ellsbury, John Buck and Darwin Barney had strong weeks, Buck hitting .353 (raising his season average to .218) while Barney hit .296 (.222 for the season). The plate performance is none-too-soon for both, as the trade deadline nears and weaker teams like Barney’s Cubs and Bucks’ Mets jettison players or bring up prospects to finish the year.

Roy Halladay remains on the 60-day DL. Brandon Lyon went the required week on assignment and was released, so where he will end up remains up in the air. With the trade deadline approaching, it seems likely he will be picked up. Adam Rosales was also designated for assignment, and when his week expired, he was assigned to the Sacramento River Cats (AAA).